CBI, Plastics One and Triad Semiconductor Complete initial development of Magnetic Targeting Device

First of its kind device will reduce long-term x-ray exposure for doctors and patients

The Carilion Biomedical Institute (CBI), Plastics One, and Triad Semiconductor have concluded initial development of the Magnetic Targeting Device.  The first of its kind, the Magnetic Targeting Device uses special magnetic sensors to locate screw holes in a hollow rod that is placed inside long bones, such as leg bones, to repair fractures.  Screws are used to hold the rod in place so that bones can be stabilized and can heal properly.  The current technique for locating screw holes uses fluoroscopy (X-ray) and is highly dependent upon the surgeon’s ability to “freehand” drill a hole and put the screw in place. Surgeons, nurses, and patients are exposed to up to 25 minutes of X-ray per procedure under this current technique.

Andre Muelenaer, M.D., Medical Director of the Carilion Biomedical Institutes states, “I couldn’t be more pleased with the results of this project.  This is a great example of taking a practical idea that came to the Carilion Biomedical Institute from a local physician, using the world-class resources at Virginia Tech to create a technological solution from an original concept and then utilizing local manufacturing and design capabilities to create a prototype.”  The original concept was brought to CBI nearly two years ago by local Roanoke orthopedic surgeon, Alfred Durham, M.D.  Dr. Durham was facing the same problem every time he repaired long bone fractures with hollow tubes,  “free-handing” the drill holes and long X-ray exposure time.  “I knew that there had to be a better way”, states Durham.  A better way was found when Dr. Durham and CBI took the problem to Professor Alfred Wicks’ mechanical engineering class at Virginia Tech, and students were charged with creating a solution.   Three students on a design team came up with the magnetic solution. One of the team members, David Szakelyhidi Jr., continued the project and created a working device for his Master’s degree with funding from CBI.

To produce the next generation working prototype CBI called upon the expertise of Triad Semiconductor for electronics design, and Plastics One to create housing for the device.  Design teams from each company collaborated to further develop the Magnetic Targeting Device, which is hand-held and operates on a standard nine-volt battery.  John Richardson, Vice President, Plastics One, states  “We were immediately very excited about the prospect of working with CBI, a local organization that we strongly support, and this medical device which shows such great promise and is such a natural fit with our business focus.”

 Dr. Muelenaer goes on to say, “It has been very exciting to work with the members of this collaborative effort.  Al Durham brought the problem to the attention of the engineer, Al Wicks provided his students with the opportunity to work on real world design challenges and the students analyzed the problem and created a solution.  Thanks to the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University Biomedical Engineering program we were introduced to several companies in Winston-Salem that were critical to our initial success, Triad Semiconductor and Orthofix, Inc.  Triad Semiconductor designed the electronics for the prototype and is planning to design a custom integrated circuit chip to reduce the size and cost of a production device.  Orthofix, Inc., a potential commercialization partner, provided invaluable advice as the prototype was developed.  The housing for the device had to be produced to very precise specifications, the kind only available at firms like Plastics One, located in Southwest Roanoke County.  I knew that we had really succeeded when three people without medical training picked up the prototype and with minimal instruction successfully drilled holes into a fake femur.” Dan Wrappe, CEO, Triad Semiconductor, Inc., says “The collaboration of medical professionals with experts in electronic signal processing results in novel medical devices.  We are pleased to be a team member in the commercialization of the Magnetic Targeting Device.”

The Magnetic Targeting Device has been tested on foam and human cadaver bones and is classified for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) purposes as an experimental device.  It is currently undergoing clinical evaluation by Orthofix and could be in practical use in the very near future. 

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Carilion Biomedical Institute is dedicated to improving the health and lives of people worldwide by partnering with scientists, researchers, and the medical and business communities to create major advances in healthcare.

Plastics One manufactures medical connectors, cable systems, and custom plastic parts. The company offers full in-house engineering, design, mold making, repair, and clean room operations. Thermoplastic custom injection molding is available from microminiature to 550 tn, with shot capacities of 0.1 g to 79 oz. A contract manufacturer specializing in the design, assembly, and molding of cable connectors, lead wires, and mating systems. The company's expertise focuses on the biomedical and communications fields where reliability, flexibility, durability, and design excellence must be achieved in miniature sizes, especially with body-worn applications.

Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering serves its students, alumni, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the nation through a variety of academic, community services, and research programs.  The Mechanical Engineering Department educates the engineers of tomorrow by integrating classroom theory and practical hands-on projects, by emphasizing the process of learning and critical thinking, by conducting original research, and by promoting professional relationships among the university, the business community, and engineering colleagues.

Triad Semiconductor, Inc. Is a fabless mixed-signal semiconductor company that designs and manufactures applications specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and standard products. Their products may be generally described as a "Sensor System on a Chip" (SSoC). The company’s products connect analog sensors to communications networks in medical, biomedical, industrial, agricultural and bio-terror detection applications. Triad Semiconductor has plans to open an office in Roanoke in the near future.

Orthofix, Inc. Orthofix International N.V. offers a broad line of minimally invasive surgical and non-surgical products in the three key market sectors of Orthopedics. Orthofix products are designed to meet the lifelong bone and joint health needs of patients of all ages, to heal in alignment with the body's natural processes, and to make possible a more active and mobile lifestyle.

Press Contact(s):

Media Contact: Andre Muelenaer, M.D.

540 581 0123